NEW DELHI: The Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, is reportedly considering to launch a new airline.
This could potentially reshape competition in the sector, which remains heavily dominated by IndiGo and Air India, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
The report states that the plan signals a “change of strategy” for the group that currently operates eight airports across the country, including two in Mumbai.
As of now, it is still weighing the idea and not taken any final decision in this regard, said one person, who declined to be identified as they have not been authorised to speak to the media.
The insider claimed that the central government has “privately nudged business groups, including Adani, to consider starting an airline”. This came amid scrutiny of Air India following the fatal crash in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad last year as well as the operational challenges that IndiGo faced in December 2025, causing widespread air traffic disruptions.
“It’s a difficult business, but Adani wants to consider it in the national interest,” Reuters quoted the source as saying.
Notably, the group’s internal discussions about an airline are said to be in initial stages, while there is no timeline on a decision.
As per reports, IndiGo commands a 65.4 per cent domestic market share as India’s largest airline, while Air India holds a 25 per cent share.
Earlier, the government stated that it was aiming to increase airports to 350-400 by 2047, from 74 in 2014, amid soaring air traffic and airlines placing record plane orders with Boeing and Airbus.
Rajan Mehra, former India head of Qatar Airways, said that Adani’s foray “has the potential to reshape India’s aviation landscape”. He further added that the country needs to focus on robust regulatory safeguards, besides ensuring that there remains a level playing field for all airlines.
The second source told Reuters that one of the available options that Adani is considering is to buy a stake in an existing airline. The insider added that “all options” were on the table.
Agencies